Author: Automotive News n Feed

Kia dealers are seeking more tweaks to the brand’s stair-step program as the automaker continues its march toward an internal goal of 5 percent share of the U.S. market by 2020.

BMW of North America will launch the redesigned 5-series sedan Feb. 11. It is also braced for a flood of vehicles coming off lease and it will improve its product mix to meet consumer demand for light trucks.

Despite a dip in Acura sales in 2016, a plateauing industry and only mild upgrades to a few of its sedans, Acura is forecasting a sales increase for 2017. The news came during the brand’s make meeting, according to several dealers who attended.

So much to see and do. Receptions, award ceremonies and numerous other get-togethers make for busy days — and nights — in the Crescent City. And coming off another record light-vehicle sales year in the U.S.

What have you seen at the show that interests you?

Enjoying the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers reception Friday at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside

Volkswagen AG is recalling hundreds of thousands of cars and SUVs in the U.S., almost all of them Audi models, to fix two airbag defects and coolant pumps that may overheat and cause fires.

Linda Silverstein, general manager of remarketing and rental operations at Ford Motor Co., was named the Barbara Cox Automotive Woman of the Year for her efforts to mentor female employees.

Germany’s motor authority raised suspicions that VW was using prototype vehicles to lower CO2 emissions in tests in 2015, soon after VW’s manipulation of diesel emissions tests was uncovered, a German newspaper reported.

Mercedes-Benz will distribute more SUVs and crossovers to its U.S. dealerships this year — answering dealers’ pleas for more inventory.